Karl set the groceries on the small table next to the window. Looking around him, he was still amazed at his luck in finding this place. He got to work. It wouldn’t be long before she arrived and he wanted everything to be perfect.

As he busied himself in the cabin, he thought about Rachel. People wouldn’t understand their relationship. So they had to be careful. If they were found out, it would ruin both of them.

Rachel was worth the risk.

It was cold in the cabin and Rachel was chilled easily. Karl set about lighting a fire in the fireplace to warm the room. Soon there was a cheery blaze going which added not only warmth but coziness.

The cabin was rustic, but comfortable. It had all the comforts of home. Since it was located in this remote area, Karl would not have to worry about either of them running into anyone they knew.

He pulled the wine glasses out of the cupboard and set them on the table next to the wine. Looking at the bed, he hurriedly grabbed the small brown sack that he had stuffed in with the groceries. He scattered the rose petals from the doorway to the bed. For good measure, he scattered a few more on the bed and pillows.

He stepped back surveying his work and smiled.

Sitting down at the little table by the window, Karl lit the candle. He would be able to see her approaching the cabin from here.

As Karl looked out the window, his mind wandered back to the last time he and Rachel were together. He closed his eyes and was lost in the vision of him running his hands through her hair. Her hair was lustrous. It was as if each strand was lit from within.

As Karl opened his eyes, he could just make out the headlights as they made the turn in the road and headed for the cabin. His pulse began to quicken. The touch of Rachel’s fingertips against his skin was intoxicating. He could barely wait to hold her again.

Rachel parked her Escalade next to his Jeep Cherokee and turned out the headlights. Karl saw the door open and Rachel stepped out of the car onto the wooded path leading to the cabin.

Her tiny feet, seemed out of place on the rough surface of the trail. Her hair, a luminescent red/blonde, flowed out behind her, falling almost to her waist.

Rachel had the type of allure that men found irresistible. Karl could hardly believe that she wanted him.

Karl opened the cabin door as she approached and took her in his arms. He had to bend a little to meet her face for a kiss. She was quite a bit smaller than he was.

Closing the door behind her, Rachel then moved toward the fireplace rubbing her hands together for warmth as she did so. The rose pedals on the floor and bed were not lost to her and a sly smile formed at the corners of her mouth.

Rushing to her and taking her in his arms again, he asked “Are you warm enough darling?”

“I will be in a moment. Would you pour me a glass of that wine?” She asked, nodding toward the table by the window.

He held her at arm’s length, looking into her eyes lovingly. Her eyes were the color of the surf on a stormy day. He almost couldn’t bear the thought of letting her go, even for a moment. Intoxicating was an apt description of the effect she had on him. Karl reluctantly released his hold on Rachel.

Karl poured the wine and then walked back to the fireplace with the two wine glasses and started to hand one to Rachel. He hesitated and set the two glasses on the mantle above the fire. “Darling, let’s get that coat off of you so you can be more comfortable.” He said.

“Of course. Thank you sweetheart.” She said.

Rachel turned her back to Karl letting him help her out of her trench coat. As the coat fell from her arms and Karl pulled it off, he stepped back. He had to. He had the give her wings the room they needed.

She turned and faced Karl again. As she did so, her wings, luminous and exquisite, stretched up and out. They almost touched the 10 foot ceiling when she stretched. She then neatly folded them back down and they lay almost flat against her back.

“Oh, that is better honey. Thank you” Rachel said sweetly, smiling up at Karl.